NBA Trade Rumors: Jusuf Nurkić Deal Discussed with Hawks amid Suns Tension

The Phoenix Suns have had conversations with rival teams, including the Atlanta Hawks, about a trade involving veteran center Jusuf Nurkić, according to Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic.

"Sources have told The Republic it's been a challenge for the Suns to move Nurkić," Rankin said. "The 30-year-old is in the third year of a four-year, $70-million contract. He's due $18.1 million this season and set to make $19.2 million in the final year of his contract. He'll be an unrestricted free agent after the 2025-26 season."

Beyond the fact the 30-year-old's contract probably doesn't reflect his value on the court, his lack of playing time has only lessened Phoenix's leverage at the negotiating table.

Nurkić hasn't stepped onto the court since the Suns' 115-104 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Jan. 7, and head coach Mike Budenholzer had already sent a message by demoting him to the reserve unit. The 7-footer hadn't come off then bench since the 2016-17 season.

Nurkić told Rankin earlier this month that he and Budenholzer "don't have a relationship" right now, adding that "life is not fair" as he remains frozen out.

This is where the Suns' decision to trade its 2031 first-round pick to the Utah Jazz for three first-rounders could be very important. President of basketball operations James Jones has additional sweeteners he can include to make another team more amenable to acquiring Nurkić.

HoopsHype's Michael Scotto reported Tuesday that Phoenix is "exploring pairing one of the newly acquired first-round picks with [Nurkić] to acquire a starting-caliber or high-level rotation player on the trade market."

Rankin posited that sending Nurkić and a first-rounder to the Hawks for veteran guard Bogdan Bogdanović works in terms of the finances.

However, Atlanta may not be that keen on adding another center, especially one signed for next season, when it already has Onyeka Okongwu and Clint Capela. Granted, Capela has been the subject of speculation for a while as he inches his way toward free agency.

If you're the Hawks and your choices are letting Capela hit free agency or having Nurkić for next year, you'd arguably prefer the former. A big man as good as Nurkić should be available in free agency and probably for less money.